South St. Building Evacuated, Some Sick From Odor

Employees in the Atlantic Health System offices located on South Street were evacuated Monday afternoon after an odor was detected that caused several people to suffer headaches and feel nauseous.

According to Scott J. Lovenberg, the fire department received a call around noon originally regarding five to six people experiencing the symptoms who work at the building at 435 South St.

At about 1 p.m., he said close to 20 people were feeling nauseous and had headaches from the odor.

Lovenberg said none of the victims needed to be transported to the hospital, but they were seeking medical attention on the scene from the .

According to Lovenberg, the fumes came from primer and glue that contractors were working with on the roof. These materials were sucked into the HVAC system and spread throughout the building, he said.

Lovenberg said all of the victims were working on the first floor of the three-story building.

The contractors working on the roof were hired by National Business Parks, the company that owns the building.

The Morris Township Fire Department, t, Whippany Fire Department and Morris Minute Men first Aid Squad all responded to the scene.

At about 1:15 p.m., the firefighters were monitoring the building for the third time to make sure there weren't any other hazardous fumes inside the buidling.

Lovenberg estimated employees would be able to return to work by about 2 p.m.